^Look at that, a whole, damn chicken!^

For example, my favorite brisket recipe:

 

¼ c…..Grape Jelly

1 c…..Ketchup

1…..Package of dry onion soup mix

1…..3lb Brisket

Ground black pepper

I know it sounds odd, (who’d think to combine grape jelly and ketchup?) but you’ll be licking your plate. Trim some fat off the brisket, throw it in the pot. Mix all the ingredients together, throw it on top of the brisket in the pot. Cover with the lid and cook it on low for 8 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes or whatever tickles your fancy.

Quick and simple, and at most you dirty five things so cleanup is quick. Crockpots are great for soups and stews, chilis, briskets, etc. If you’re worried about the dangers of cooking something over night or while away from the house, cook it one weekend while you’re at home and busy with chores or TV. Also, crockpot meals last a while. so you get more for your money.

Most crockpots are cheap. Mine is very simple. It has three settings: off, low, and high. I almost always use the low setting. When looking for a crockpot of your own, you want a sturdy model with a clay or ceramic, removable interior. Try finding one with a heavy lid, but it isn’t always the most important. My model has a plastic lid, but the ledge where it sits is designed to collect some moisture (from the steam rolling down off the lid) and create a seal to help keep up the pressure. The recipes are endless, and the food is delicious. So, do yourself a favor and get a crockpot. I doubt you’ll regret it.

::P.S. Hi guys, I know a few people read my blog. Please let know what you think, or what you’d like to hear about. I don’t want to be boring or unhelpful. Thank you in advance for any opinions, and thank you to those who have followed me and read my posts! ::

This is what summer is about to a concert goer. I even wrote a paper about summer festivals in high school that’s how important they are. When you pack 5-10 amazing bands into one show for a generally reasonable cost, where can you go wrong? Even if you’re working on the day of a show, you take the day off because opportunities like that don’t always come around again.

For instance, this is the third year Uproar will come around. The first two years featured my favorite band, Avenged Sevenfold, nothing beats that. This year they aren’t on it. So, if you missed either of those shows, you can’t get it back.

Festivals are all day events, hence why you need to take the day off, and there is always so much going on. There is at least 2 or three stages, many more if you’re talking about Warped, and there are so many vendors, giving out free stuff. That is always worth it. Especially when a tour is sponsored by Rockstar or Monster, there are a lot of free energy drinks going around. Sometimes there are even other kinds of stuff going on like skateboarding or bmx demos, and band signings. So, even if there isn’t a band playing that you like or want to see there is just so much else you can find to do.

However, it is very important to stay hydrated during these types of shows. It is always so hot out, you can not avoid the sun. I got the worst sunburn of my life at a festival. Whenever you need to I suggest getting water and trying to find some shade to sit in for awhile to get re-energized. It’s worth it because you will need all the energy you can get for the final bands. It does get a bit easier as the sun starts to set and everything cools off, but you have to remember to pace yourself especially at an all day event like this.

First of all the thing I think that disturbs me the most is peoples choice of shoes. Now for me anyway I stick to my normal Converse for any show I go to. But it is actually physically painful to me when I see girls walking around at all day festival shows in high heels. That is crazy to me, all the more power to you if you want to do that but I wouldn’t suggest it. Another one is flip flops. I understand your thinking of ‘oh I’m going to this all day festival outside when it’s hot during the summer flip flops is the way to go.’ Logical but no. You have no idea what is on the ground there, how easy it is for whatever is on the ground to make it onto your feet, how likely it is that someone will step on you, or even the possibility you will lose them in a crowd. Especially if you find yourself in a circle pit or god forbid a wall of death.

Second, I do not recommend wearing skirts or dresses. Again, if you’re comfortable with it all the more power to you if that is what you want to wear. But, one, I can’t imagine that would be very comfortable, especially if you were at a show for a long time and two, if you’re tightly packed into a crowd pressed up against god knows who, good luck, just good luck.

Third, do not wear white. At rock or metal shows it is just not safe. At summer festivals, also not safe. During summer festivals, security and anyone else working tend to spray the crowd with water to keep everyone cool. At rock or metal shows sometimes they just do that for fun. Take Korn for instance, Jonathan Davis, their lead singer, often likes to spray the crowd with a fire hose. Not only the whole being sprayed with water thing, these types of shows are very dirty. You don’t know the people you are being crammed into, you never know what could be spilt on you , I just don’t recommend it.

Fourth, if you have long hair, put it up. This kind of goes two ways. One you want your hair up because if you’re already hot and sweating that is just going to make your life more miserable. Also, the people around you do not want your gross sweaty hair all over them.

However, I am here to tell you that at some point, you will find the courage to escape from the “Smoking Closet” and publicly embrace the culture you love so much.  It may not be today, or tomorrow, or a year from now, but when it happens, you will feel empowered. There are some suggestions however.

First: Lay to rest the stereotypes society places upon you and your fellow smokers.

Sure,we all like light a joint, and zone out while watching movies, playing video games, and listening to music, but you have to do more. Although you might not like the sound of it, get a job, keep up with the work from your classes, and just take care of every day shit. Once people see that you enjoy Marijuana and manage your responsibilities, the images of the red-eyed coach potato will be shattered.

Second: Know when it is the correct time and place to  discuss your favorite past time.

Remember, not everyone will feel the same way about marijuana as you. Some people never questioned what they were taught during the early part of their lives, others have had bad experiences with the plant, and some are just too conservative and stubborn to consider and other opinion. Bringing up your Marijuana use at work or community functions could prove disastrous. Take some time to feel out the crowd. Most smokers and people friendly towards the 420 Culture drop hints or give off vibes that let you know they are part of our community. Calibrate your 420-Friendly Radar .

Third: Try to educate people on the truths of Marijuana and the culture.

I know this may sound a little Jehovah-Witnessy, but exposing the lies that surround Marijuana can have favorable outcomes. You may change an individual’s outlook on Marijuana and set forth the motions of him or her learning more. However, the most favorable outcome results in another person gaining the courage and confidence to come out of the “Smoking Closet” themselves. Just remember that there will be a time when you encounter a person that does not have the willingness to hear an argument that conflicts with his or her current beliefs.

Finally: Never stop learning about Marijuana.

The topics being discussed in the Marijuana Culture are constantly evolving, and you can never know too much about one topic. A well informed smoker is a well armed smoker. The more you learn, the more you can teach people and the more you can defend yourself against the ignorance of society.

Just remember, you love Marijuana for a reason, and although you have a new found confidence, do not forget where you started out from. Take some time to meet up with friends, roll some joints and watch a movie or listen to some great music. Most of all, keep it fun, keep it safe, and keep it burning.

Thanks.

-B